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Paddle-in frontier requires bigger blanks

Eric Arakawa & Pat Rawson

Big Wave Updates

US Blanks Partners with Eric Arakawa and Pat Rawson

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 21 January, 2014 - US Blanks would like to announce the release of the 11’8” BG blank, made possible through a partnership with famed Hawaiian surfboard shapers Eric Arakawa and Pat Rawson.

Eric Arakawa is the renowned head shaper for Hawaiian Island Creations (HIC) where he shaped boards for 3-time World Champion Andy Irons. Rawson helped start Local Motion surfboards in 1978 and has built boards for such notable surfers as Sunny Garcia, Mason Ho, and Jeremy Flores, among many others. Arakawa and Rawson have advised one another throughout their careers and the 11’8” BG marks their second design collaboration on a surfboard blank.

“There wasn’t a previous need for a blank this size, but we’ve seen a huge renaissance in big wave paddle-in surfing. A few years ago we were doing a lot more tow boards, but now the demand is mostly for paddle-in boards. The size waves that people are paddling into now are much bigger, so a normal 9’6” Waimea gun won’t do. We needed a bigger blank.” Eric Arakawa

“He’s so advanced with the computer and he has an incredible machine that can cut such large blanks. It’s allowed us to achieve a more sophisticated design and to fine tune the design virtually, rather than through trial and error.” Pat Rawson

The 11’8” BG is one of two blanks designed by Arakawa and Rawson. The 10’8” BG was released in November 2013. This 11’8” BG is the most recent addition to US Blanks portfolio of 86 blank offerings. It is made from polyurethane foam and is available in 2 densities, with any desired variety of stringer configuration.

Made entirely in the USA, US Blanks has warehouses in California and Florida and distributions partners worldwide.